Fill in the blank: I am a ________________.

Depending on the day, I might say mother, writer, ish talker, entrepreneur, writing coach, or a hot ass mess.

The phrase “image matters” has come to permeate nearly every facet of our life from the boardroom to the bedroom, but while many folks are focusing on polishing up their personal brands, what others think about us isn’t as nearly important as what we think of ourselves. 

Rock with me…

When it comes to achieving our goals and living the life we really desire, how we see ourselves is intricately linked to whether or not we will be successful.

Think about it.

If you feel like you’re a failure who can never quite get anything right, you’re probably right.

Conversely, if you feel like you’re a go-getter who always makes it happen, that’s probably been your experience in life.

Why? How we view ourselves affect how we interact and view the world.

Henry Ford said it best: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” (click to tweet the quote)

In a recent survey of millionaires by Fidelity, a quarter of people surveyed did not consider themselves to be wealthy despite being worth upwards of a million bucks.

While most of us would consider having a million dollars to be pretty damn rich, those surveyed said they’d need more than $5 million before they felt like they were truly doing ok.Their inability to label themselves rich, despite being firmly apart of the 1%, could have been influenced by where they live and who they roll with.

I mean, it’s hard to feel wealthy when you live in an expensive city and your peers are summering in the south of France while you’re still going to work everyday.

And there’s the rub.

Although most of us would look at someone with a fat bank account and envy their bottom line, they may still be grinding—not because the world thinks they need to, but because they do.

Sure, it’s nice to be seen as respectable, successful, and valuable by others, but if you don’t view yourself in the same manner, it won’t matter.

Deepak Chopra opens his book The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success with a quote from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad that says:

 You are what your deep, driving will is.

As your desire is, so is your will.

As your will is, so is your deed.

As your deed is, so is your destiny.

Now…how do you really see yourself? How do you describe yourself every, single day—sometimes without thinking?

Are your thoughts setting you up for success or is it pushing ever close to failure?

Please leave a comment filling in the blank, “I am a____________.” Be honest. Let me know why you feel the way you do.

Peace,

Britni